Andrew Hurrell • March 26, 2025
The £50 Marketing Trick That Saved A Local Chippy
How to get your customers back...
Ever popped into your local chip shop and wondered how they stay busy while others struggle?
Recently I had a chat with Pete from who runs a fish and chip shop.
"I was proper worried last summer. The new kebab shop across the road was stealing all our Friday night regulars."
But Pete's story isn't about losing customers - it's about how he got them back.
And here's the kicker: it cost him less than a tank of petrol.
The Problem 😰
Pete's shop had been a local favourite for 15 years. Same spot, same great chips, same friendly banter. But something wasn't working anymore.
"My son kept banging on about Google reviews and all that," Pete laughed. "I thought it was a load of rubbish, if I'm honest."
The Lightbulb Moment 💡
One quiet Tuesday, Pete spotted something interesting. A young mum had driven 20 minutes past three other chippies to get to his shop. Why?
She'd seen photos of his homemade tartare sauce on Google.
The £50 Game-Changer 🎯
Here's what Pete did:
• Bought a decent phone holder (£15)
• Grabbed some proper lighting (£35)
• Started taking snaps of his daily specials
But here's where it gets clever...
The Real Secret 🤫
Pete didn't just post pictures of fish and chips. He shared stories:
• The time he taught his grandson to peel spuds
• His dad's secret mushy pea recipe
• Behind-the-scenes prep at 6am
"People love seeing what goes on back here," he grinned. "Had a bloke come in yesterday saying his kids wanted to see where the 'magic happens'."
The Results 📈
Three months on:
• Friday nights? Packed
• New faces? Loads
• Best bit? Regular customers coming in more often
"It's not rocket science," Pete shrugged. "People want to know there's a real person behind the counter."
Quick Tips from Pete 🗒️
1. Show your face
"Don't hide behind your logo. Customers buy from people."
2. Share your routine
"Even boring stuff like prepping veg - people love it."
3. Keep it real
"No fancy filters. Just honest photos of honest food."
The Bigger Picture 🎪
Pete's story isn't just about a chip shop. It's about any local business competing with bigger players or newly launched businesses.
It's about turning your everyday work into content that connects.
Your Turn 🎬
Got a phone? Got a business? You've got everything you need to start. Take a page from Pete's book:
• Snap a photo of your morning prep
• Share a quick story about your day
• Show the faces behind your business
The Bottom Line 💷
Marketing doesn't need to cost the earth. Sometimes, the best stories are already right there in your business - you just need to share them.
Want to chat about making your business more visible locally? Give us a call.
We promise not to bang on about algorithms - just honest advice about getting more customers through your door.
P.S. Pete's Friday nights are still booking up fast. Maybe it's time to try that tartare sauce for yourself? 😉
Marketing Made Simpler - You’re Not On Your Own
More Customers. Bigger Wins. Better Business.
